Iva, whose real name is Ivor was in After The Fire from 1978 until some point in 1980. This is his first album after ATF. He had an album before he joined ATF but I warn you know it is a completely different style than what he’s known for. Anyway this album has a lot of similarities to ATF stuff and quite frankly it’s fantastic. It has this spy/secret service/CIA theme going on which is pretty cool. The single was “Secret Service” which I personally believe would have been a great radio single but unfortunately the album was on an unknown label. I know that Ivor and ATF as a whole always had label problems and it’s sad because they were all very very talented. Interestingly the only person Ivor brought into the project that had any interesting history was the drummer Nick Brotherwood from The Alwyn Wall Band. Anyway this one is must listen and I doubt many people have heard it as it was on an obscure label and only released in the U.K.
Tracklist
01 – No Good At All – 2:14
02 – Some People – 2:28
03 – The Dance Has Just Begun – 2:38
04 – I Guess I’ll Always Be (Someone Like Me) – 3:12
05 – King Of Hearts – 2:43
06 – Part Time Hero – 2:39
07 – Cold War – 3:49
08 – Secret Service – 2:27
09 – I Surrender – 2:27
10 – CIA And The KGB – 2:32
11 – Independence – 1:59
12 – Resting In Your Love – 2:47
13 – Save Me – 2:26
14 – Cover Me – 3:35
15 – Don’t Be Afraid – 1:45
Credits
Acoustic Guitar – John McNaughton
Arranged By – Iva Twydell
Bass – Tony Hudson
Drums – Nick Brotherwood
Lead Guitar, Vocals – Andy Balmer
Organ, Piano, Strings – Graham Noon
Saxophone – Derek Williams
Sleeve, Design – Steve Bamford
Triangle – Marianda Twydell
Violin – Phil Henderson
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Flute, Synthesizer, Percussion – Iva Twydell
Vocals, Noises – Dave Balmer, Kieran McGrath
Vocals, Percussion – Tim Burgess